Growing a dream one native plant at a time

MORADA - Bill Federico has visions of a large, luscious garden at Morada Middle School that will feature a fish pond and plants native to California along with fruit trees and vegetables.

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By Keith Reid

recordnet.com

By Keith Reid

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Keith Reid

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

MORADA - Bill Federico has visions of a large, luscious garden at Morada Middle School that will feature a fish pond and plants native to California along with fruit trees and vegetables.

A teacher's aide with a liberal arts degree, Federico also has the background in farming to pull off such a project with the help of science teacher David Kitamura and two other staff members. There's no questioning his desire to get it done. He has a detailed schematic designed by the California Native Species Foundation, and he's determined to put the ambitious plan into reality.

The hard part: filling 21,000 square feet of space on the middle school campus with mulch and finding enough money to plant and maintain dozens of native plants, a greenhouse and a nature walk. He also plans for a series of miniature "communities" that feature oak woodlands, desert, chaparral, grasslands, riparian, fruit trees and art space.

With help from the foundation, Kitamura and school staff members Elizabeth Mobley and Elmira Padernilla, a science curriculum that meets California standards rounds out the project's purpose. Kitamura, who also has a farming background, will offer his expertise on organic pest control.

"I don't care if I have to do this one piece at a time. I'm going to get this thing done," said Federico, who grew up farming grapes for raisins and wine. "This is going to be a model for other schools in Stockton and Lodi. It's going to be a part of the community."

"There's a criteria for getting a grant," said Foundation President Alrie Middlebrook said. "You have to have land to do it, and be really committed with a stewardship committee of teachers, parents and volunteers. We want our grant recipients to steward the garden and get community support."

Federico is on the hunt for that support. He's asking local farmers and businesses to donate money or plants. Some local businesses have already dropped off wood chips and bark that will serve as a topsoil base.

Students are excited about the project too. Federico said he has talked to many of them about farming and how they can supplement their families' food pantries by growing their own food. This past fall, the students planted pumpkins.

"I am learning how to cook and make salads, and it is better than going to the store every weekend," eighth-grader Drew Sawyer said. "Plus, kids on Halloween that don't have much money can have a pumpkin to carve."

Federico said the future garden could be a lifelong learning experience.

"A lot of these kids, they are from poor families, and they get most of the food they eat here at school," he said. "This is a life lesson they can take with them forever."

To help Federico and Morada Middle School build the garden, call the school at (209) 953-8490.